2013 Bentley Continental GT Speed

Because the standard 567-hp version isn't enough.

JUSTIN BERKOWITZ

Jun 20, 2012

“Every day of your life,” says the old trope, “you’re the oldest you’ve ever been.” It seems that every car Bentley launches is the fastest, quickest, or most powerful vehicle the company has ever made. Perhaps we shouldn’t be wowed by Bentley’s claim that the new Continental GT Speed is its fastest production model ever. Then again, this latest iteration of the millionaire’s Camry has 616 hp.

Vitals

In building the Speed version of the Continental GT, Bentley’s engineers extracted 616 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque from the company’s W-12 engine. This puts the second-generation Speed 49 hp and 74 lb-ft up on the standard 12-cylinder Continental GT. Also worth noting: With these ratings, the new Continental GT Speed not only blows away the first-gen GT Speed (600 hp/553 lb-ft) but it basically matches the now-dead and ridiculous Continental Supersports (621 hp/590 lb-ft).

Like other second-generation Continental GT models, the Speed uses an eight-speed automatic transmission and features all-wheel drive. Through a new engine-management system collaborating with the eight-speed auto, all 12-cylinder Continentals are a claimed 12 percent more efficient than their predecessors. Unlike the others, this one is touted as being capable of hitting 205 mph—a whole seven mph quicker than the standard 12-cylinder Conti. Bentley estimates a 0-to-60-mph time of 4.0 seconds.

The Other Changes

Bentley says the GT Speed features "unique" chassis tuning, which includes sharper steering, a revised air suspension, and a ride height that's been lowered by nearly 0.4 inch. Special 21-inch wheels are standard.

Cosmetically, the changes from the less-sporty GT would be charitably described as “subtle.” All mesh on the front of the car is darker in color than it is on non-Speed Continental GTs, and the tailpipes have a special finish. All GT Speed cabins are upgraded to what Bentley calls Mulliner Driving Specification. There are no details yet about what that entails for the Continental GT Speed, but on regular GTs, available Mulliner exterior bits include bookfaced carbon-fiber trim.

Why and When

You’d be forgiven for thinking that a regular Continental GT—or even the entry 500-hp V-8 version—would be enough car for the world’s wealthy. That’s a case of missing the forest for the trees, though: Bentley’s cars inherently are overkill. Models like the GT Speed are a bit more exclusive, and for folks with fortunes to spend, the question of, “Why drop more money on a GT Speed?” really becomes, “Why wouldn’t I?”

On the topic of pricing, numbers will come out closer to the car’s on-sale date this fall. The standard 12-cylinder model starts at $198,975, though, and the first-generation Continental GT Speed wore a $213,995 base sticker in its final year of existence. The new GT Speed should land somewhere higher than did its predecessor. But thanks to the Supersports model’s $279,195 sticker, the fastest Bentley ever likely also won’t be the priciest Conti.